Australian Open: Food and drinks to your private seat a part of COVID-safe plan

Australian Open crowds have been given a massive boost, with thousands more tennis fans now allowed to attend the event amid a raft of COVID-safe changes.

Dining pods will keep tennis fans socially distanced at the Australian Open. Picture: Graham Denholm/Tennis Australia.

Australian Open crowds have been given a massive boost, with Victoria’s Chief Health Officer signing off on a boosted capacity plan for the event.

Major Events Minister Martin Pakula on Saturday announced the first eight days of the event would be allowed to have up to 30,000 people each day.

That will reduce to 25,000 from the quarter finals onwards.

The new capacity limits will mean there are enough tickets to match about half of the average attendance from last year’s Open.

“It will not be the same as the last few years but it will be the most significant international event with crowds the world has seen for many, many months,” Mr Pakula said.

HOW TENNIS FANS CAN WINE AND DINE AT THE AUS OPEN

Fans will sit together in dining pods to watch the world’s best players battle it out and be treated to some of Victoria’s top chefs at the Australian Open next month.

In a Grand Slam first, spectators can choose to be wined and dined in specially-designed private enclosures among changes to make the major event Covid-safe but still fan-friendly.

Groups of up to six will be able to hire the pods for two hours, ordering click and collect food and drinks at their table on Grand Slam Oval in the Rod Laver Arena Zone.

It comes as new rules will apply to social distancing and queuing for food, shops and toilets, with a Covid Safe Australian Open campaign titled “Play It Safe” to be served up onsite.

Bright green and yellow stickers will be posted around Melbourne Park, with instructions to stay 1.5m apart, including in queues to pick up food and drinks.

Covid Safe marshals will police the rules, which will also restrict the number of people using a lift to two.

Dining pods have been set up at Melbourne Park. Picture: Graham Denholm/Tennis Australia.

QR code screening and restrictions on movement around the precinct will apply and

800 hand sanitiser stations are to be set up around Melbourne Park.

Australian Open spokesman Ben Slack said the precinct had been “completely redesigned’’ for “a new-look AO”.

“There are Covid Safe measures in place to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable as they enjoy our next-level premium experiences and food offerings across the precinct,’’ he said.

“A great example of how we’ve looked at things differently is the five new dining pods … it’s a new concept for the AO and they are sure to be a hit with the fans.’’

The Herald Sun can reveal the first look at “The Atrium”, a fancy new fan zone on the Yarra River side of Melbourne Park with two levels of alfresco outdoor dining, a champagne bar and menu by chef Scott Pickett.

It can also be revealed Aaron Turner from classy Geelong restaurant Igni has will launch two pop up restaurants in the Margaret Court Arena Zone — the Hot Chicken Project and Best Of Bellarine.

The 580kg dining pods, designed and built in Melbourne, will be regularly sanitised and feature a perspex roof so fans can see the night sky.

They will be pitched to fans as a mini-marquee, with $125 tickets including a $75 voucher for food and drinks.

A new fan zone will be set up along the Yarra River. Picture: Graham Denholm/Tennis Australia.

Mr Slack said the pods could be the way of the future for sporting events, making the days of lining up for pies and chips a thing of the past.

“Click and collect technology will be big at the tournament this year … all ordered through QR codes and with physical distancing top of mind,’’ he said.

Three strict zones — Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court and John Cain Arena — will apply at the Open with fans only admitted to one area with their ticket.

The event will be cashless, have reduced crowd capacity and use digital tickets.

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